1 No. 22 of 2019 SIXTH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD) (UNREVISED) FIRST SESSION TUESDAY 09 JULY 2019 2 CONTENTS PAPERS LAID QUESTIONS (Oral) MOTION STATEMENT BY MINISTER BILLS (Public) ADJOURNMENT QUESTIONS (Written) 3 THE CABINET (Formed by Hon. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth) Hon. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth Prime Minister, Minister of Home Affairs, External Communications and National Development Unit, Minister of Finance and Economic Development Hon. Ivan Leslie Collendavelloo, GCSK, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Energy and Public SC Utilities Hon. Sir Anerood Jugnauth, GCSK, Minister Mentor, Minister of Defence, Minister for KCMG, QC Rodrigues Hon. Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government and Outer Islands, Minister of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare Hon. Yogida Sawmynaden Minister of Technology, Communication and Innovation Hon. Nandcoomar Bodha, GCSK Minister of Public Infrastructure and Land Transport, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade Hon. Mrs Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun Minister of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research Hon. Anil Kumarsingh Gayan, SC Minister of Tourism Dr. the Hon. Mohammad Anwar Husnoo Minister of Health and Quality of Life Hon. Prithvirajsing Roopun Minister of Arts and Culture Hon. Marie Joseph Noël Etienne Ghislain Minister of Social Security, National Solidarity, and Sinatambou Environment and Sustainable Development Hon. Mahen Kumar Seeruttun Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security Hon. Ashit Kumar Gungah Minister of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection Hon. Maneesh Gobin Attorney General, Minister of Justice, Human Rights and Institutional Reforms Hon. Jean Christophe Stephan Toussaint Minister of Youth and Sports 4 Hon. Soomilduth Bholah Minister of Business, Enterprise and Cooperatives Hon. Marie Roland Alain Wong Yen Minister of Social Integration and Economic Cheong, MSK Empowerment Hon. Premdut Koonjoo Minister of Ocean Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping Hon. Soodesh Satkam Callichurn Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations, Employment and Training Hon. Purmanund Jhugroo Minister of Housing and Lands Hon. Marie Cyril Eddy Boissézon Minister of Civil Service and Administrative Reforms Hon. Dharmendar Sesungkur Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance 5 PRINCIPAL OFFICERS AND OFFICIALS Madam Speaker Hanoomanjee, Hon. Mrs Santi Bai, GCSK Deputy Speaker Lesjongard, Georges Pierre Deputy Chairperson of Committees Jahangeer, Hon. Ahmad Bashir Clerk of the National Assembly Lotun, Mrs Bibi Safeena Deputy Clerk Ramchurn, Ms Urmeelah Devi Clerk Assistant Gopall, Mr Navin Clerk Assistant Seetul, Ms Darshinee Hansard Editor Jankee, Mrs Chitra Serjeant-at-Arms Pannoo, Mr Vinod 6 MAURITIUS Sixth National Assembly --------------- FIRST SESSION ------------ Debate No. 22 of 2019 Sitting of 09 July 2019 The Assembly met in the Assembly House, Port Louis at 11.30 a.m. The National Anthem was played (Madam Speaker in the Chair) 7 PAPERS LAID The Prime Minister: Madam Speaker, the Papers have been laid on the Table. A. Office of the President The 45th Annual Report of the Ombudsman for the period January-December 2018. (In Original) B. Prime Minister’s Office Certificate of Urgency in respect of the Industrial Property Bill 2019 (No. XV of 2019). (In Original) C. Minister Mentor’s Office, Ministry of Defence and Ministry for Rodrigues Rodrigues Regional Assembly (Banning of Disposable Plastic Food Items) Regulations 2019. (Government Notice (Rodrigues Regional Assembly) No. 1 of 2019) D. Ministry of Health and Quality of Life (a) The Dental Council (Medical Institutions) (Amendment No. 4) Regulations 2019. (Government Notice No. 114 of 2019) (b) The Food (Amendment) Regulations 2019. (Government Notice No. 115 of 2019) E. Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Protection The Rodrigues Consumer Protection (Control of Price of Taxable and Non-taxable Goods) Regulations 2019. (Government Notice No. 116 of 2019) 8 ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS CANNABIDIOL, CANNABIS & CANNABIS RESIN - PRESCRIPTION - MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS The Leader of the Opposition (Mr X. L. Duval) (by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Health and Quality of Life whether, in the light of the recent assessment and findings of the 41st Expert Committee on Drug Dependence of the World Health Organization, he will state if consideration will now be given for - (a) Cannabidiol to be removed from the purview of the Dangerous Drugs Act, and (b) medicines containing cannabis and cannabis resin to be authorized for use in Mauritius on prescription by medical practitioners. Dr. Husnoo: Madam Speaker, Cannabis is defined as a flowering top or separated resin of the cannabis sativa plant. Cannabis contains about 400 chemicals, including 121 reported phyto-canabinoids with the most prominent of these compounds being delta 9 – Tetra hydro cannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol. However, Tetra hydro cannabinol is the principal intoxicant constituent of cannabis. It is to be noted that cannabidiol is the non-intoxicating compound of cannabis compared to Tetra hydro cannabinol, which gives the euphoric feeling when consumed. Early this year, the WHO’s recommendation was delivered to the United Nations as part of its report of the 41st Expert Committee on Drug Dependence: Cannabis and Cannabis related substances. Furthermore, the report cited the potential of Cannabis to cause adverse side effects, such as impairment of motor-control and cognitive functions. These effects were attributed to the presence of delta – 9 – Tetra hydro cannabinol, that is, THC, in cannabis and cannabis derived products. Most of the adverse effects associated with cannabis result from chronic use. Regular cannabis use is associated with increased risks of mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression and psychotic illness. Madam Speaker, Cannabis and Cannabis resin are currently under Schedule I of the Dangerous Drugs Act 2000. Cannabidiol is a component of cannabis. 9 On 24 January 2019, the WHO released the final outcome of its scientific assessments of cannabis sativa-based products and substances, following the reviews undertaken at the WHO’s Expert Committee on Drug Dependence 39th, 40th and 41st Sittings. The final adoption of these recommendations by the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) is expected for March 2020 during the 63rd Session. With regard to parts (a) and (b) of the question, my Ministry is presently not considering the removal of cannabis and cannabis resin from the Dangerous Drugs Act 2000 until a further study is made on the implications of the drug and its … Mr X. L. Duval: Madam Speaker, on a point of order. The question does not relate to removing of cannabis and cannabis resin from the Dangerous Drugs Act; it relates to cannabidiol being removed from the Dangerous Drugs Act. Otherwise, it will create confusion. The question is not as I asked. Madam Speaker: The question is in two parts. In the first part, you have asked about cannabidiol to be removed from the purview of the Dangerous Drugs Act and the second one relates to cannabis and cannabis resin. Now, the hon. Minister is a medical practitioner and he knows better whether those two are related or not. Dr. Husnoo: I think you will agree, Madam Speaker, in both questions (a) and question (b), we are talking about cannabidiol and part (b) about cannabis and cannabis resin. That’s what I am talking about. So, I will just start again if you do not mind. With regard to parts (a) and (b) of the question, my Ministry is presently not considering the removal of cannabis and cannabis resin from the Dangerous Drugs Act 2000 until a further study is made on the implications of the drug and its components. A policy decision will be taken in light of the recommendation, taking into consideration the specificity of our country. My Ministry will set up a high-level committee after the adoption of the UN Commission on Narcotics in March 2020 to consider recommendation. Mr X. L. Duval: Thank you, Madam Speaker. We are talking about use of cannabidiol for medical purposes. The Expert Committee on Drug Dependence recommends strongly, clearly that cannabidiol no longer be treated as a dangerous drug. Can I ask the hon. Minister what is now the official position of Mauritius, pending the meeting of March, concerning cannabidiol? 10 Dr. Husnoo: As I have just mentioned, we are waiting for March 2020. Once the United Nations decides in what direction we are going to go, then I am going to set up a committee to study in which direction, what we are going to do regarding cannabidiol. Mr X. L. Duval: Madam Speaker, the Expert Committee on Drug Dependence of the WHO consists of world-renowned experts - 11 of them. All of them are medical practitioners or pharmacists. They have recommended clearly that cannabidiol should be removed. Now, it is going to be the Ministerial Committee, in March, which will decide - 53 countries. Politicians will decide. So, I am asking the Government here in Mauritius to tell me what is the political position of Mauritius regarding the expert decision, the expert recommendation? Dr. Husnoo: I have just answered, Madam Speaker. I am going to wait for the United Nations and then I am going to set up a committee, not by politicians, by experts in the field to decide in which direction to go. Mr X. L. Duval: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister, I am sure, is aware that the Food and Drug Administration, a hugely respected organisation in America, has now authorised, approved Epidiolex to be used in epilepsy cases where thousands of children, in Mauritius also, 15,000 people suffer from epilepsy. Now, FDA in USA has authorised cannabidiol in Epidiolex to be used. Does that not influence the Government here that the same should be done? Dr. Husnoo: Again, I agree… (Interruptions) What I was going to say is that, as far as treatment of epilepsy is concerned, the treatment of epilepsy is not for all types of epilepsy, as you mentioned 15,000 people have epilepsy in Mauritius.